Small / economy car deathwatch: we've passed "peak econobox" again

[Bicycle Bob]

How do they measure interior volume? Ping Pong balls?

[JSH]

Originally Posted by Bicycle Bob

How do they measure interior volume? Ping Pong balls?

SAE J1100 / ISO 3832. It is done digitally now with 3D CAD models but it is basically stacking square boxes in the passenger and cargo areas.

[Isaac Zachary]

Originally Posted by JSH

A vehicle is a light truck if it:
Can carry 10 or more passengers
Provided temporary living quarters
Can carry cargo in an open bed
Had 3 rows of seats that 2 fold down to carry cargo
Is designed for off-road operation.

Originally Posted by JSH

If any one of those 5 criteria are met the vehicle is a light truck.

I was able to do the first two and the last one in my 2-door 1993 Mazda 323.

Admittedly it wasn't designed for those things, but it worked.

[Bicycle Bob]

Originally Posted by JSH

SAE J1100 / ISO 3832. It is done digitally now with 3D CAD models but it is basically stacking square boxes in the passenger and cargo areas.

That took a lot of wading, but it looks like the minimum volume to be considered is a brick about 2" X 4" X 8". That fills a lot more odd spaces than 1' cubes would.

In other news, does anyone know how to knock "Appliance White" off my masthead? I just plated "Stealth RV" after a major overhaul.

[freebeard]

Provided temporary living quarters
....
If any one of those 5 criteria are met the vehicle is a light truck.

So -- my Superbeetle is a light truck.

[Piotrsko]

If it was being sold new, yes. Was classified <50> years ago so I guess youre stuck.

[Isaac Zachary]

It also seems that there are a lot of what people would consider "light trucks" out there that don't really fit any of those descriptions, at least not any better than a sedan would.

[freebeard]

www.caranddriver.com/: 2027 Toyota Corolla Pickup
Starting at $25,000 est


https://external-content.duckduckgo....a54&ipo=images

That is basically a notchback four-door with an open-top trunk. I'd much prefer something more along the lines of the Rabbit/Ramage, like this AE86:


https://external-content.duckduckgo....328&ipo=images

[JSH]

Originally Posted by Isaac Zachary

It also seems that there are a lot of what people would consider "light trucks" out there that don't really fit any of those descriptions, at least not any better than a sedan would.

The vast majority of crossovers that are certified as light trucks do it by having 3 rows with fold down seats or by being designed for off-road travel.

Being designed for offroad travel requires minimal dimensions for ground clearance, approach angle, breakover angle, and departure angle. Oh - and AWD or 4WD makes it easier. There are 2wd vehicles that meet the off-road standard but they are rare.

[Bicycle Bob]

There was a couple who beat the tar out of a standard Citroen 2CV around the Sahara, and it only died of wear, not damage. They went to ground to re-group, and headed out again with much better equipment, but never equalled the earlier adventures. See "Rolling Homes" from Shelter Publications.